Ontario Construction News staff writer
Public Services and Procurement Canada has awarded a $13.5 million contract to Peters Brothers Construction Ltd. for an asphalt overlay project on the Alaska Highway.
The contract includes repairing 61 kilometres of asphalt road surface by grinding existing asphalt, removing deficient pavement and applying an asphalt coating. The work will improve the condition and safety of the aging asphalt and extend the service life of the road surface.
“The Alaska Highway is an important transportation link to the Yukon and northern British Columbia for residents and tourists. Rehabilitations such as these are essential to keep this important route safe while supporting jobs locally, including those in Indigenous communities,” said Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement.
The competitive procurement process for this project includes an Indigenous subcontracting component of more than 20 per cent of the contract value, which aims to provide social-economic benefits to Indigenous People and Indigenous firms of the region.
“The Alaska highway is an essential connection for the Yukon and is often subject to the effects of harsh weather. The federal government is committed to addressing our infrastructure needs, which we can see in this support for regular and safe travel of Yukoners, goods, and tourists,” said Brendan Hanley, MP for Yukon.
The highway runs 2,450 kilometres across northern BC and southern Yukon into Alaska and includes 56 bridges, over 2,100 small culverts, and several pits and quarries.
PSPC is responsible for the sections from km 133, north of Fort St. John, BC, to km 968 at the BC/Yukon border. The PSPC section of the highway is the principle land transportation link to northern BC, the Yukon, and Alaska from the rest of Canada and the lower 48 American states.
PSPC has consulted with First Nations and worked with them to determine if their traditional interests will be impacted by the proposed activities.
Work will be completed this fall.